Jessica Darling's It List: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness & Perfection (Jessica Darling's It List, 1)
#1 of 3 in Jessica Darling'S It List Series
on Goodreads (1,561)
What’s inside...
Now a digital feature film! On her first day of seventh grade, Jessica Darling discovers five hard truths about junior high involving her best friend's newfound beauty and its potential impact on their friendship. As Jessica navigates the complexities of junior high, she learns from author Megan McCafferty that being true to oneself trumps popularity, prettiness, and perfection. This hilarious novel captures the essence of adolescence with humor and heart.
Character compass
Jessica Darling
Bridget
Bethany Darling
Manda
Discussion points
How does Jessica Darling's approach to fitting in at school make you feel? Do you think it's important to try to be popular?
Jessica creates an 'It List' to navigate middle school. If you were to create a list for school, what would be on it and why?
How do the challenges Jessica faces relate to any experiences you've had or witnessed in school or among friends?
What did you think about Jessica’s friendships in the book? Have you ever had a friend like Bridget or Sara?
What lessons do you think Jessica learns by the end of the book about being true to oneself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a comfortable space for the discussion, allowing your child to express their thoughts and experiences openly without judgment.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between their life and Jessica's experiences, fostering a deeper personal connection with the book’s themes.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to show interest and deepen the conversation.
Consider sharing your own related experiences when appropriate to enhance mutual understanding and connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: Jessica learns to appreciate her unique qualities rather than conforming to societal expectations of popularity and beauty.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to embrace their individuality and resist peer pressure to fit certain molds.
Example Lesson: The importance of true friendships
Explanation: Throughout the book, Jessica discovers that genuine friends accept you for who you are, not for your social status or appearance.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value and nurture friendships that are based on mutual respect and authenticity.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Jessica faces various social challenges and learns to navigate them with resilience, learning from her mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach personal challenges with determination and learn from the outcomes rather than fearing failure.
Example Lesson: Kindness and compassion
Explanation: The protagonist realizes the importance of treating others kindly, seeing beyond first impressions and rumors.
Real-World Application: Promotes empathy and understanding, encouraging children to be considerate in their interactions and to think about the feelings of others.
Example Lesson: Being cautious of superficial judgments
Explanation: Jessica eventually understands that popularity and surface appearances do not define a person's worth or character.
Real-World Application: Helps children to develop a deeper, more thoughtful perspective on how they view and judge others in social settings.